Sri Lanka’s ODI skipper, Dasun Shanaka, has been dealt a crushing blow as he is forced to exit the ongoing World Cup in India due to a severe thigh injury. The Sri Lankan squad has turned to Chamika Karunaratne, who was on the standby list, to fill the void left by Shanaka’s absence.
This unfortunate injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Sri Lanka, who are among the four teams in the tournament yet to secure a victory. Shanaka’s leadership and on-field prowess will be sorely missed by the team as they struggle to find their footing in the World Cup.
Chamika Karunaratne, with 23 ODIs to his name, has been called upon as Shanaka’s replacement. This decision was prompted by Shanaka’s right thigh muscle injury, which was sustained during Sri Lanka’s match against Pakistan on the 10th of October. The injury necessitates a three-week recovery period, as confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a statement. The Technical Committee has officially approved this substitution.
Kusal Mendis, who has been a standout performer with the bat for Sri Lanka, will take the reins as the new captain. As the designated vice-captain, Mendis is expected to provide the leadership and guidance needed to steer the team through these challenging times.
Shanaka’s absence also presents an opportunity for Chamika Karunaratne, who hasn’t participated in an ODI for Sri Lanka since March of this year. The Sri Lankan team will be closely watching to see how Karunaratne steps up to the plate in this crucial tournament.